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Five things you need to know in Colorado Legislature this week

By The Associated Press

Posted:
01/27/2013 11:09:28 AM MST

Your weekly look at what's coming up at the Colorado Legislature:

READY, AIM, FIRE

The first two gun bills of the year are up for hearings in the Senate. One would allow school employees to carry concealed weapons; the other would require armed security at private businesses that don't allow patrons to carry concealed weapons. Both are Republican ideas that face almost-certain rejection in committees controlled by Democrats.

MEDICAID

Another Republican is sponsoring the first measure of the year related to Medicaid expansion. A measure up for a hearing in a Senate committee Thursday would block some education dollars from being diverted to pay for expanded health care assistance for the needy. Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper insists Colorado can afford the expansion, but the GOP is skeptical.

SECRETARY OF STATE INVESTIGATION

Republican Secretary of State Scott Gessler has been criticized for being reimbursed with state funds for attending the GOP National Convention in Florida and a partisan election law training event. On Tuesday, lawmakers will vote on whether to approve a months-long investigation of how his office uses discretionary funds.

NONCITIZENS ON VOTER ROLLS

Republicans will argue for a bill that would set up a process in law for the Colorado secretary of state to remove people from voter rolls who are believed to not be U.S. citizens. Democrats question whether it is a real problem and argue legal voters could be disenfranchised. The bill is likely to be voted down during its first House committee hearing Wednesday.

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ABORTION

Democrats are expected to reject two Republican proposals regarding abortion. A bill being heard Thursday in a House committee would make performing abortions a felony. Another bill being heard in a House committee Monday would make it a crime to kill a fetus. Republicans argue it's needed to prosecute people who commit crimes against pregnant women, but opponents say it resembles an abortion ban.

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